I don’t have time to train

I don’t have time to train

Something I hear a lot is, “I really want to train and get in shape, but I don’t have time”, or something along those lines.

Now, I understand that everyone has different pressures and deadlines in their lives and I’m not going to try and pretend I know what any of your lives are like; I’m not going to try and tell you how to use your time.

Evidently there are many people, such as single mothers or fathers who have to juggle a couple of jobs with childcare, who genuinely have no spare time in the day for hobbies or other interests.

However equally there are a lot of people who are far from this situation, who apparently don’t have time to train.

Again, it is completely fine if training is not your thing, or exercise is not something you enjoy (though I imagine you have at least a passing interest reading this). But if you want to be in shape, then not having time is not really an excuse.

Next time you think you don’t have time for training, or are about to explain how you’re too busy to get to the gym for 30 minutes a couple of times a week, use this phrase instead:

“I really want to train and get in shape, but being in shape is not a priority for me.”

You can apply this phrase for anything:

“I really would love to play the piano, but knowing how to play the piano is not a priority for me.”

“I’d love to know more about politics, but reading the paper and knowing about current affairs is not a priority for me.”

Which way will you choose to go? Image courtesy of renjith krishnan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Let’s face it, this is more likely to be the truth. You really want to be in shape, but you don’t have time?

How about the 1 hour every evening you are watching TV? Or the Saturday morning when you are sleeping in?

Having time for something is relative to how much of a priority it is for you.

If you have a job interview for a dream job that takes place on a Friday evening at 8pm (for arguments sake), do you make time for it or do you not have time because that is when you’re normally on your third G & T?

I’m not comparing getting in shape to landing a dream job but if you really want to do something, you will have time to do it. Saying you don’t have time for something is on the whole a comfort exercise; you are reassuring yourself that it is nothing to do with your motivation or will power, it is just that physically there is not enough time in the day.

It makes you feel better about lacking motivation.

The reality is that it is just not a priority for you. If it was, you’d stop making excuses and make time for it.

So next time you are about to say you don’t have time for something, stop and ask yourself “is it a priority for me?”